Why I Suddenly Stopped Smoking Marijuana After 4 Years of Almost Daily Use

I used to love smoking cannabis. I can still remember the very first time I smoked a joint, in fact. I smoked one before I even smoked my first cigarette. Although I didn’t get ‘high’ that time, I certainly did for the countless other times.

For the first few years, my use increased. Why wouldn’t it? All of my friends were smoking, and I found other friends that smoked it too. My whole social circle consisted of friends who smoked cannabis, and that’s what we would do almost every day – whether it was sitting at the park, in someone’s house, or at a party, we’d be smoking marijuana.

The true effects for me, when I started smoking marijuana, we great. I’m not going to lie and say it was horrible, because it wasn’t. I’d laugh so hard at things that my throat would feel like it was bleeding, and then I’d laugh some more. Everyone else would laugh, for hours on end. Then we’d eat a lot, and then laugh some more, before heading off to bed.

However, what started out as smoking it once a week at most quickly turned into a few times a week, and before I knew it, every day – and depending on what was happening, a few times a day. This would always be with friends who wanted to smoke it too. We’d sit around and smoke it, telling stories and jokes and laughing. This went on for about 2 years.

As the use increased, looking back I can see how things changed. What I once only smoked with friends, I began to smoke alone too. I’d go out for the night, smoke a few joints with friends, then come back home and have one or two by myself. I’d then wake up feeling awful, and have to drag myself to work.

In my last few months of heavy use, I cut off all contact with my friends – I’d rather stay indoors and smoke a joint by myself, so I could watch a movie alone or listen to music alone. I became paranoid, not answering my phone because I didn't want to talk, or because I thought I sounded too stoned.

I became depressed, and would often lay in bed for most of the day. I lost my job because I could not remember if I’d done something – a symptom of heavy cannabis use (loss of short term memory).

In the very last stages of my ‘addiction’ (more on that in a bit), I became what I now know was ‘psychotic’. I started become extremely paranoid, and I swear, I truly believed that all sorts of conspiracies were true. I started seeing patterns everywhere, and I became obsessed with the government and control and all sorts.

The thing is, until I stopped smoking, it just all seemed so normal. Everything seemed to just flow – I’d want to have a joint, and everything would be fine. I clung on to the early memories of limitless laughter and good times, even when I was alone in my room. I couldn’t let go.

Until I, well, grew up. The time came when I realised I just didn’t need to smoke cannabis no more. My tolerance had grown so much that a strong joint lasted barely 30 minutes, and then I’d feel slow, monged and unclear. I can still remember the foggy feeling now – laziness had ruled me.

So I stopped, for many months. It’s now been over two years since I smoked full time – I’ve smoked about three times since then. Each time I haven’t felt great, and I’ve not wanted to do it for a long time afterwards. Feeling clear, clean and quick-witted is much better than being out of it for me, at least now I’m older.

People may read this article and shout “Weed isn’t addictive!” or “Your mental problems were caused by underlying problems!” Maybe so, but this is my story, and it didn’t go well. I don’t hate cannabis – I have some excellent memories, but I do feel disappointed I tried to milk it for so many years, and I wish I’d never smoked it heavily on my own.

So if you’ve just started smoking, or have been smoking for a while and wonder if your smoking too much, there’s my story. To those of you that want to try it, nothing will stop you from doing so, but just remember even though you may think positively, for some of use it can unwillingly develop into a psychological addiction, with physical symptoms, so be careful.

P.S. Two years after stopping, I run my own business from home, volunteer, live with my girlfriend, and enjoy a good life. There is so much more to life than cannabis and lazing about – you just have to make the decision to find it.

Comments

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Joe W 3 years ago

You should of, instead of looking at conspiracy theories and all that looked at spirituality and asked important questions like what consciousness is.. would of taken you down a much more positive route...

Anon 3 years ago

Almost 25 here, and exactly the same story. Heavy use of cannabis is not fun, if you start smoking you can avoid this phase by smoking few times a month, maximum.

If you don't use tobacco it's even better because you would limit the addiction and it would help not to start smoking everyday. Use a vape if you can, be responsible :)

Sammy 3 years ago

I'm only 19 and i have been smoking daily since I was 15. Almost "everyone" in my town does. Me and my "good" friends all smoke at least once a day but most of the time it is significantly more than that. I have realized that I am not really getting the same high anymore and that I just become quiet, unsure of myself, and tired. I have always thought it was pretty normal to smoke this much just because that has always been what was going on around me. I have always told myself I could quit if I wanted, or if I had a reason...but in 4 years I probably haven't gone any more than a week without toking. I didn't smoke today and I felt alright but the temptation is everywhere. If there's any suggestions you have to help stop I would greatly appreciate it.

Author

smartknowledge 3 years ago

Thank you all for your comments - it's definitely important for people to know that although you can have fun times, there's definitely a very dark side.

Natalie 3 years ago

I completely relate to what you are saying about being psychotic and obsessed with conspiracy theory's and the government control etc, I thankfully escaped after 3 years. My friends all still smoke and more than half of them were put in mental hospitals undue to this paranoia! Quoting was the best thing I ever did!

tylerb 3 years ago

I'm going through the same exact thing right now I quit 4 days ago because my life felt like a blur and I became a extrem hypochondriac( paranoia) thinking everything was wrong with me but the first 3 years were great! I litterly felt like it helped my life and made me a better productive person but for some reason it quikly changed 3 months ago to were I happily quit cold turkey but I remember the first time I had to quit when I really enjoyed it was very hard! And the second I was able to smoke again I picked up right were I left off... Not saying I will never smoke it again but deffently not even close to everyday maybe jus on the weekends here and there and hopefully I will actually enjoy it again

ERIC 3 years ago

JUST LIKE ME HAD THE SAME TIME SMOKING EVERY DAY FOR 4 YEARS NON STOP AND I JUST COULDT TAKE IT AND EVEN IF I DON'T SMOKE MY TROATH HURTS

Mary Jane is a B 3 years ago

The day I seriously quit was the day I realized that like every woman there ever was in my life, it just got harder and harder for mary jane to make me happy, and after some years, I simply got sick of her telling me what to do and how to feel every day. Life is hell, yes, but looking back at it, weed was never more than a cheap and temporary diversion - not even close to a real solution.

Author

smartknowledge 4 years ago

I agree, but for anyone reading who is younger than 18 and involved in cannabis, take it from me - I truly wish I'd have waited until my brain had stopped developing fully, around 20 years old. I know it's had an effect on me that I'll have to live with the rest of my life, and although I don't regret it, I wish I'd have known what it was capable of.

Parrophernalia 4 years agofrom Kingston, Jamaica

As with everything under the sun, ganja should be used moderately. Also different strokes for different folks, some peoples chemical make up are different from others causing a more lasting reaction. In men especially, the feeling is longer lasting and will have greater side effects than women. Glad you have weaned yourself off of it though, kudos to you.

Author

smartknowledge 4 years ago

I definitely agree with you, and even though in the end cannabis didn't work out for me, I cannot for the life of me understand why it is illegal, when alcohol isn't. I honestly think the best thing would have been if I'd used it sparingly - maybe once every month, but no more. However, with it being illegal, and my only source of information at the time being an early internet, how was I to get educated on the possible mental side-effects? It should definitely be legal, but at the same time I think people should be shown and told what can happen and encouraged to use it very responsibly. Thank you for your time.

cheaptrick 4 years agofrom the bridge of sighs

Sorry you had a bad experience with cannabis which unfortunately happens with some people.Cannabis should be used with restraint just as all intoxicants should be used with restraint.The Idea that anything is harmless is not true and cannabis has its trade offs as well.Some of us use it responsibly,some of us don't just as with any mind altering substance.The trend is toward full legalization and that's a good thing if for no other reason than it's a personal freedom and those are no ones business but our own.I respect the fact that you were honest and straight forward about your experience.Mine is just the opposite.To each his own...wouldn't you agree?